A trained helicopter pilot has demonstrated the terrifying and potentially fatal consequences of letting go of a helicopter lever in mid-flight.
In a video on TikTok, pilot Dave Fishwick - the man behind the true story of Netflix's Bank of Dave - talks viewers through what happens if you were to let go of the cyclic control and how it can send the helicopter off kilter and veering sideways.
Not only is it a terrifying thought but it's one that could be deadly, as Dave warns that 'this will kill you in a helicopter'. Watch the video here:
The video sees Dave speaking to camera from the helicopter cockpit as he explains: "What happens if I let go of the controls? What happens, does it fall out of the sky? Well let's find out!"
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He then talks viewers through what can happen as he points to a joystick style lever in front of him and a helicopter GPS computer mapping his flight.
Dave continues: "Before I do that, I'm going to put my hand over it just in case. Are you ready? One, two, three...nothing.
"However, slowly but surely it veers off to the right. My hand was over it the whole time so there was no problem."
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He then points to a level on his left as he adds: "You can let go of the collective for a second while you do something with the map or turn something on and then put your hand back on."
Yet the danger warning comes as Dave stresses: "But if you let go of the cyclic for more than one second the helicopter will end up on this [left] side or on that [right] side."
Just to stress how important it is, Dave then adds: "You can never, ever, ever let go of the cyclic control or you will die!"
A somewhat cheery Dave then ends the video as he concludes: "See you next time everybody, good bye!"
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Viewers who recognise Dave will know him as the Burnley businessman, TV presenter, and author who first rose to fame in 2012, when a Channel 4 documentary revealed his efforts to reform the country's banking system.
He made his millions by founding his own minibus sales company, before in 2011 setting up Burnley Savings And Loans, a private lending company which became the subject of the Channel 4 series Bank Of Dave and later became a Netflix film.
His aim was to challenge the high street banks that weren't lending to 'honest and hard working people' who needed loans.
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His gamble paid off and he's known for his challenger bank and is now rumoured to be worth millions.
Topics: Technology, Travel, TikTok
Niamh Spence